UFC 303: Alex Pereira knocks out Jiri Prochazka in dominant fashion to retain title

Pereira and Prochazka stepped in at short notice to fight after Conor McGregor pulled out of his headlining bout with Michael Chandler earlier this month with a broken toe.

The event marked the second time in three months that Pereira had topped a big event after headlining the landmark UFC 300 in March.

Pereira knocked out Jamahal Hill that night to retain his title, setting up the rematch with Prochazka, who had stopped Aleksandar Rakic on the same evening.

In McGregor’s absence, the UFC broadcast team described Pereira as the “biggest star in mixed martial arts today” and the Brazilian’s performance lived up to the billing.

Before the fighter introductions, the stoic, motionless pair locked eyes for a number of minutes, mirroring the intense staredown before their encounter in November.

Pereira opened the fight with leg kicks before landing a left hook and jab on Prochazka, whose best moment of the fight came as he initiated a clinch.

The defining moment of the opening five minutes came right at the end of the round as Pereira’s thunderous left hook dropped Prochazka, with the bell preventing any follow-up.

The Czech’s corner team could be seen putting ice on his head to try to sharpen his senses, but it was in vain as just 13 seconds into the second round Pereira delivered his fight-ending kick.

After the bout, he hinted at a move to heavyweight and an attempt to become the first three-division champion in UFC history.

“I think that’s in my future. There doesn’t seem to be too much interest from the organisation but I’m here, I think it’s in my future,” said Pereira.

“I think the fans have a lot of say in this. In the end these are the people who pay for this. If this is what they want, it’s going to be inevitable.”